Break Glass Manual Call Point
Break Glass Manual Call Point always something new you can learn to improve your fire safety knowledge and today we’ll look at yet another key element of your fire detection system – the manual call points (MCP) used to activate your fire alarm. From what they actually do and where to find them to using and testing them correctly – here’s everything you need to know about fire alarm call points.
What is a fire alarm call point & what does it do?
A fire alarm call point (also referred to as a red manual call point or a break-glass call point) is essentially a small box, mounted on a wall which contains a button or a lever that allows you to manually trigger the fire alarm in a building.
They are an essential part of any building’s fire detection system, as they can:
alert everyone inside to a potential fire danger by sounding the alarm
get the evacuation process started as quickly as possible
sound the alarm even if the automated detection system has failed
notify the fire alarm control panel about the area where the fire is
alert the fire services about the fire (can be done manually or automatically)
activate the smoke management system Depending on the model of the call point you may or may not have to break a glass to reach the button that activates the fire alarm. Some of the latest designs have been adapted to use depressable plastic instead of glass to reduce the possibility of injury to the user and to discourage any acts of vandalism.
If you happen to uncover a fire at work, sounding the fire alarm using a manual call point is the fastest way to get your colleagues’ attention and prompt them to get to safety. If the fire isn’t big enough to have triggered the automatic fire detection system, your proactive actions could help put the flames under control before the fire has had the chance to spread.
Once the manual call point has been used, it has to be reset manually, using a safety key to revert it back to its original state.Break Glass Manual Call Point
Where should fire call points be located?
Every fire alarm system has multiple manual call points, so if you pay attention, you will spot them in all public buildings – from shared accommodation to office buildings, construction sites, cinemas and theatres, shopping centres, school and healthcare facilities.
Usually, they are located along the escape routes, near the fire exits, so that you can trigger the alarm without slowing down the evacuation process or putting yourself in unnecessary danger. According to the relevant regulatory requirements (BS 5839), call points should be placed:
On each floor of a building
No more than 30 metres from any point in the building
No higher than 1.4 metres above the floor
In a visible & accessible location
Additionally, in areas identified as high-riskAnother interesting fact about manual call points is that they should always be installed on the floor side of an exit door leading to a staircase so that when the alarm is triggered, the alarm system can correctly identify which floor the fire has occurred on.
What colour are the fire alarm call points?
Manual call points can have more than one function. They come in three colours: white, green and red. The different colours indicate the function of each individual call point:
Red manual call points: Those are the fire alarm call points used to activate the fire alarm, notify the fire services and even trigger the sprinkler or smoke control systems
Green manual call points: Those are located next to an exit and they are used to manually release a door while trying to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency
White manual call points: Since those don’t indicate a single function, there should be additional signage telling you what this particular call point does. However, there’s one thing white manual call points can’t be used for and that’s to call the fire servicesDepending on the fire safety system installed in your building, the manual call points can be set up to have a number of additional functions, such as unlocking or releasing doors, triggering the smoke management system and even turning off the air conditioning system. In any case, if you notice a fire, you should always use the manual call points without hesitation – better safe than sorry Break Glass Manual Call Point
How often should fire call points be tested?
Manual call points should be tested as part of your weekly fire alarm test procedure. Realistically, not all fire alarm call points can be tested each week. Usually, the testing is done via a rotation plan where a different call point is tested each week to ensure that the entire system works as it should. If there are 12 call points on the premises, for example, you shouldn’t retest the first call point before the 13th week of testing, as all 12 call points should be tested before you repeat the process.Break Glass Manual Call Point
In addition to that, it’s part of the fire marshal’s responsibilities to perform a daily visual inspection of all elements of the fire safety system, including the manual call points. If the call point signage has worn off or if there are any visible signs of damage, then this should be raised with the building’s management team and rectified as quickly as possible.
Last but not least, the entire fire alarm system has to undergo a full safety inspection by a qualified fire safety engineer at least every 6 months. This is when all manual call points will be checked thoroughly by a professional as part of their regular maintenance.
Need a fire alarm system along with manual call points installed? Here at Evacuator Alarms, we specialise in traditional and wireless fire alarm installation for all building projects, from residential buildings to offices and large construction sites.
FAQ
Resetting a red manual call point
What is the purpose of the fire call point?
A manual fire call point allows anyone to trigger the fire detection system in a building by pressing a button or pulling a lever.
When should a manual call point be activated?
If you notice a fire in a building before the fire alarm system has been activated you should trigger the alarm manually by using the nearest red manual call point.
How do fire alarm call points work?
When you activate the manual call point, it sends a signal to the fire system’s control panel, notifying it that there is a fire in the area closest to the call point. As a minimum, this will sound the fire alarm throughout the building. It should also start the fire emergency protocols, including calling the fire brigade.
How many fire call points do I need?
As a general rule, you must have a call point within 30 metres of any location within a building and there should be at least one on each storey. High-risk areas may need additional call points installed.
What colour are the call points that enable you to raise the fire alarm?
Red call points are the ones that allow you to trigger the fire alarm.
Where do manual call points go?
Usually, close to the fire exit at 1.4m height to make sure that they are easily accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users.
ederal Signal’s multi-purpose, manual Break Glass Call Points are compatible with a wide range of flameproof and hazardous location applications. These break glass unit models feature a UV stable, heat, impact, and corrosion resistant, anti-static GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) housing. Call Points are ideal for both onshore and offshore applications for activating emergency equipment, audible and visual signals or control panel notification, or fire alarm activation.
Our Break Glass Call Point models offer an optional dual color unique LED indicator. The dual color LED indicator displays green when the unit is in “Normal” or standby mode, and changes to red when the unit is in “Alarm” mode.
An optional clear polycarbonate lift flap converts any single-step call point device into a two-step device to prevent accidental activation. Lift flaps are also available with four label options with instructions on how to activate the device. Additionally, the integrated tool reset key can be removed to provide a secure tamper resistant option. A variety of modular end of line resistors, series resistors and supervisory diodes are available for up to two modules per model. Modules are easily replaceable and are field installed.
Each Break Glass Call Point unit comes standard with eight field-installable face plate labels: FIRE, EVAC, BIO HAZARD, GAS, EMERGENCY, SHUTDOWN, LOCK DOWN, and evacuation logo. For harsher environments, four optional stainless steel face plate labels are also available: FIRE, E VAC, BIO HAZARD, and GAS ALARM. If the application requires a custom face plate label, the face plate’s labeling surface will accept end-user supplied U-Line #S-19297 weather-resistant labels for laser printers.
A manual call point (“MAP”) is an elector mechanical device may form part of either a fire detection and alarm system, emergency warning system or access control system in a building or structure. Manual call points may also be distributed throughout a property (external to a building or structure). A manual call point is manually activated by a person to initiate an alarm signal.
A manual call point can be referred to by a number of names such as;
Break Glass Alarm ("BGA") - Australia, Asia and Europe; or
Pull Station - North America
A manual call point may be used for a variety purposes such as;
fire safety (red enclosure);
emergency warning (white enclosure); and
access control or emergency door release (white or green enclosure).Features & Operation of a Manual Call Point
The external housing for a manual call point may be made from plastic or metal to suit a variety of environments including (indoor, outdoor and explosive environments).
In its basic form a manual call point comprises a switch, mounted within an enclosure, protected from accidental or malicious activation by a protective frangible (glass) or non-frangible (plastic) cover.
Operation of a Manual Call Point
To operate a manual call point a user must press hard on the frangible or non-frangible front of the manual call point.
For frangible manual call points an operator will observe and hear the sound of the frangible element (typically plastic coated glass, printed with instructions to operate) break. The operator will also observe the frangible element break or fold indicating it has been operated.
For a non-frangible manual call point, an operator will hear the sound (clack) of the operation of the device.